Labour has announced a change to its candidate for the Kaipara ki Mahurangi electorate after Tracey-Lee Repia withdrew from the election race for personal reasons.
According to a report by the New Zealand Herald, he party confirmed that Jolyon "Jo" Swinburn, a public policy professional, has been selected to contest the electorate, which covers areas just north of Auckland.
Repia's withdrawal comes just weeks after Labour's Selwyn candidate Nick Moody also stepped down from the election race.
Swinburn currently serves as a principal policy advisor at the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport. His previous roles include positions at the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and the Treasury, where he contributed to the inaugural Sovereign Green Bonds programme and reforms to the Public Finance Act, the New Zealand Herald has reported.
Following his selection, Swinburn highlighted the challenges facing the electorate, saying, "Kaipara ki Mahurangi is experiencing these pressures directly. The cost of living and getting around is high, our growing communities are facing flooding and extreme weather, and we need smart planning and infrastructure to support the future," as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Explaining why he chose to stand for Labour, he said, "I am standing for Labour because it is the party that is best equipped to address the cost of living pressures we have today, as well as dealing with the longer-term environmental and economic issues we face as a country", the New Zealand Herald has quoted.
Swinburn also pledged to work closely with local communities if elected.
"I want to earn the support of people across the electorate by listening to their concerns and backing their ideas to unlock the potential of businesses in the region," he said, as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
He added, "As an electorate MP, I will advocate for growth that is inclusive, well designed and better managed," as quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
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